Hosea 12

Wind and deceit

1Ephraim feeds on wind
and chases the east wind all day.
He multiplies lies and violence.
They make a covenant with Assyria
and carry oil to Egypt. 2The LORD has a case against Judah.
He will call Jacob to account for his ways
and repay him for his deeds.

Remembering Jacob

3In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;
in his strength he struggled with God. 4He struggled with an angel and prevailed;
he wept and pleaded with him.
He found him at Bethel,
and there he spoke with us— 5the LORD, the God of Armies;
the LORD is the name by which he is remembered. 6So return with your God’s help.
Keep faithful love and justice,
and wait continually for your God.

Wealth and remembrance

7A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand;
he loves to exploit. 8Ephraim says, ‘I have become rich;
I have gained wealth for myself.
In all my earnings they will find no guilt in me,
nothing that is sin.’ 9But I am the LORD your God
from the land of Egypt.
I will make you live in tents again,
as in the days of the appointed festival. 10I spoke to the prophets;
I multiplied visions.
Through the prophets I gave comparisons. 11Is Gilead wickedness?
Surely they have become worthless!
At Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
their altars too will be stone heaps
in the furrows of a field. 12Jacob fled to the countryside of Aram;
Israel served for a wife,
and for a wife he tended flocks. 13Through a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt;
through a prophet Israel was guarded. 14Ephraim has provoked bitter anger.
His Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him
and repay him for his contempt.